Hertzler Talks 'Fabulous' Series V Role

J.G. Hertzler (Martok) said recently he couldn't have been happier to jump back into the Klingon saddle again to play a lawyer in Enterprise's'Judgment'.

"The character I played on Enterprise is fabulous, a really fabulous character," he told Jacqueline Bundy at TrekWeb. "I adore Martok and the character that I'm doing on Enterprise — all, it's me doing him — is not entirely devoid of Martok-isms. He's very different from Martok, he's a lawyer as opposed to Martok being a warrior, but he's driven by the same kind of soul. What he believes is right and wrong. It's a wonderful character."

Although he is well known to the Star Trek family, having played a Vulcan Captain, a founder and a Hirogen hunter in addition to his recurring role as Martok, Hertzler still had to audition for his latest Trek gig. "I did have to read," he said. "Some returning actors don't but I almost always do. When I did the Hirogen on Voyager I didn't have to read for that, they offered it to me. When I did Laas I had to read to make sure it would be different enough from Martok. To be honest I was very surprised that I got it [the role of Kolos]. Martok has been a tremendous force in my life, certainly for my career, but also in life. I'm very lucky. [But] I grew to like Kolos immensely. And I got to work with some fantastic actors on Enterprise — Scott Bakula is an incredible prince."

Hertzler had previously acted opposite Scott Bakula (Jonathan Archer) in a second-season episode of Quantum Leap, and couldn't say enough good things about the actor. "I did, a long time ago. Fifteen years ago. That's the last thing he said: 'I hope we get a chance to work together again sooner than 15 years.' Scott is tremendous. He's aware of everything that's going on. Everything. But he is the most accessible, most affable, most beloved person on that set. From everyone's point of view. From every department. It was truly amazing. And he takes great care that not only the best of every scene is accomplished, but the best of each actor in that scene."

The full interview, in which Hertzler also talked about working with director James L. Conway and fellow guest star John Vickery, can be found here at TrekWeb.